High-fat petrolatum-based moisturizers and prevention of work-related skin problems in wet-work occupations

The study presented is a randomized, controlled intervention study with the purpose of implementing an evidence-based skin disease prevention programme. The hypothesis explored in this article is whether a high-fat petrolatum-based moisturizer can be an alternative to protective gloves in wet-work occupations. The study population was all gut cleaners in Danish swine slaughterhouses, and data were collected by telephone interviews using a standardized questionnaire - The Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002). At baseline, 644 (88%) gut cleaners responded and at 1-year follow-up 622 (72%). 135 gut cleaners in the intervention and 277 in the comparison group responded at both telephone interviews. In the intervention group, the eczema frequency was reduced significantly. Detailed analyses revealed that protective gloves are the overall most effective protective means and did not indicate that a high-fat moisturizer could be an alternative. Furthermore, the most extensive improvements could not be explained by combinations of protective behaviour but was found among those who had received information on, and was having discussions on prevention of skin problems. This only applied to the intervention group. A continuous focus on prevention of skin problems with information and discussions on the shop floor therefore seemed to be most important for reducing skin problems.